3 Reflections on the MODEX Show

Now that MODEX 2014 is over, I thought it would be a good time to look back and reflect on the show. If you couldn’t make it down to Atlanta for MODEX, I highly recommend registering for ProMat 2015 (March 23-26, 2015 at McCormick Place South in Chicago). Not only is it an outstanding event for exhibitors to display their product, meet new potential customers, and connect with existing customers, but it’s also a great venue to see the latest and greatest the industry has to offer and expand your network.

For UNEX, MODEX was a very important show. It was our first opportunity to unveil our new brand and all of the great things that accompany it. It’s one thing to read about our new Span-Track and Roller Rack and quite another to actually see the product in action, and I’m happy to report that the response from the show was fantastic. Our mini-museum booth was a hit, and attendees really took the time to explore our products and case studies deeply and ask our pickologists some very insightful questions. We came away from the show invigorated and excited.

But MODEX is about more than your booth. With thousands of industry professionals in one spot for the week, it is also a great place to network and build relationships. Though the show floor is a great place to do that, the folks at MHI and their partner associations like MHEDA went a step further to facilitate networking and education. Three events that I attended during the course of the week were “Industry Night at the Georgia Aquarium,” the MHEDA Networking Reception and a meeting with my MHEDA-NET group, the Pacesetters, and Classroom Day.

Industry Night at the Georgia Aquarium

Industry Night was a great networking opportunity away from the hustle and bustle of the show floor. The aquarium was an awesome place, and all of the exhibits were open for attendees to walk through. The event was well-attended and was a great relationship building platform.

MHEDA Reception

Another event that I attended was the MHEDA Reception. This was not only a great place to unwind a little bit after the first day of the show and talk to our fellow MHEDA members, but also an opportunity to meet with my MHEDA-NET group, the Pacesetters. MHEDA-NET is a networking group that meets once or twice per month to talk about industry news or challenges that we have seen or are facing in the industry. It’s a great way to network and also discuss issues with fellow MHEDA members who may have encountered similar problems in the past.

Classroom Day

Classroom Day is an event that is held every year at MODEX or ProMat. It is an opportunity for high school and college students to get some exposure to our industry and really get a hands on experience with our products. This year, I had the privilege of being a tour guide for eight high school students who were interested in potentially joining the industry some day. We went to eight different booths and talked about products, applications and how to get started in the industry. Not only was it a great way to give back to the industry but it was a chance to meet and interact with the potential leaders of tomorrow.

All in all, MODEX provided a great experience for us and our partners, and we already are looking forward to ProMat 2015.